Finally: Mayweather - Pacquiao on May 2, 2015

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather (Composite). Photos: REUTERS
LOS ANGELES - The long awaited mega bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, which has been more than five years in the making, will take place in Las Vegas on May 2, Mayweather announced on Friday.

A duel between the defense-minded Mayweather and the aggressive Pacquiao, the biggest drawcards of their generation, has been savored by boxing fans, if only to decide the mythical title of the world's best pound-for-pound fighter.

"What the world has been waiting for has arrived," American Mayweather, who has a perfect record of 47-0 with 26 knockouts, said on the social networking website Shots. "Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a done deal.

"I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did. We will make history on May 2nd. Don't miss it! This is the signed contract from both fighters."

Mayweather made a late-night trip to Pacquiao's hotel in Miami last month to discuss the possibility of a fight, and the Filipino southpaw signed the contract for the bout on Thursday.

"I am glad my decision to meet with Manny and discuss making this fight happen helped get the deal done," Mayweather said in a statement. "Giving the fans what they want to see is always my main focus.

"This will be the biggest event in the history of the sport. I am the best ever ... and this fight will be another opportunity to showcase my skills and do what I do best, which is win".

"Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won't be successful. He will be number 48."

Pacquiao, who has a 57-5-2 record with 38 knockouts, said in a statement: "I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years. They have waited long enough and they deserve it.

"It is an honor to be part of this historic event. I dedicate this fight to all the fans who willed this fight to happen and, as always, to bring glory to the Philippines and my fellow Filipinos around the world."

A 60-40 SPLIT

The welterweight showdown in Vegas is projected to be the most lucrative ever in boxing with Mayweather expected to have a 60-40 split advantage on revenues, earning a minimum of $120 million and Pacquiao at least $80 million.

"Everyone involved, including Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, knows this fight simply had to happen," Stephen Espinoza, general manager for Showtime Sports, said in a statement.

"All of us are thrilled to be able to deliver this event to boxing fans around the world."

Pacquiao, 36, lost much of his appeal after successive defeats to American Timothy Bradley and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, prompting talk of his possible retirement, though he has since bounced back with three impressive wins.

Five-division world champion Mayweather, who is known for his shrewd business acumen, had been expected to meet Pacquiao in 2010 until negotiations collapsed over the American's demand for random drug testing.

Mayweather has hinted at illegal methods by often questioning how Pacquiao could have won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight classes.

Mayweather announced last September, after he scored a dominant win over Argentine Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas in his most recent bout, that he would retire in late 2015 when his Showtime contract ends, after two more fights.

Reuters
Posted at 02/21/2015 9:30 AM | Updated as of 02/21/2015 9:31 AM
Fight fans rejoiced and social media exploded on Friday at the news that the long-awaited clash between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao would at last take place in Las Vegas on May 2.

"Can't wait to see" tweeted former boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard, who won titles in five weight divisions.

Former English footballer Gary Lineker, wrote on Twitter: "Now that is a fight!"

Ring Magazine, the so-called Bible of Boxing, said: "Mayweather-Pacquiao is here, kiss the record book goodbye", and film actress and fight fan Rosie Perez tweeted: "Finally! God Bless America, two times!"

Mayweather, 37, will carry a 47-0 record into the bout, while the 36-year-old Pacquiao is 57-5-2.

"What the world has been waiting for has arrived," American Mayweather said in announcing the clash on the social networking website Shots. "Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a done deal."

The Filipino countered with: "I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years. They have waited long enough and they deserve it."

Las Vegas was abuzz by the excitement of what promises to be the biggest fight since the days of Ali and Frazier.

Mayweather opened as an almost 3-to-1 favorite in the earliest lines.

The welterweight showdown in Vegas is projected to be the most lucrative ever in boxing with Mayweather expected to haul in a minimum of $120 million in a 60-40 split with Pacquiao, who figures to make at least $80 million.

"Outside of the Super Bowl, this could be the single biggest wagering event we've ever had," Jay Kornegay, Westgate Las Vegas sports book director, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

This year's Super Bowl drew a handle of almost $116 million in Nevada.

Reuters
Posted at 02/21/2015 9:30 AM | Updated as of 02/21/2015 9:31 AM
Fight fans rejoiced and social media exploded on Friday at the news that the long-awaited clash between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao would at last take place in Las Vegas on May 2.

"Can't wait to see" tweeted former boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard, who won titles in five weight divisions.

Former English footballer Gary Lineker, wrote on Twitter: "Now that is a fight!"

Ring Magazine, the so-called Bible of Boxing, said: "Mayweather-Pacquiao is here, kiss the record book goodbye", and film actress and fight fan Rosie Perez tweeted: "Finally! God Bless America, two times!"

Mayweather, 37, will carry a 47-0 record into the bout, while the 36-year-old Pacquiao is 57-5-2.

"What the world has been waiting for has arrived," American Mayweather said in announcing the clash on the social networking website Shots. "Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015 is a done deal."

The Filipino countered with: "I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years. They have waited long enough and they deserve it."

Las Vegas was abuzz by the excitement of what promises to be the biggest fight since the days of Ali and Frazier.

Mayweather opened as an almost 3-to-1 favorite in the earliest lines.

The welterweight showdown in Vegas is projected to be the most lucrative ever in boxing with Mayweather expected to haul in a minimum of $120 million in a 60-40 split with Pacquiao, who figures to make at least $80 million.

"Outside of the Super Bowl, this could be the single biggest wagering event we've ever had," Jay Kornegay, Westgate Las Vegas sports book director, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

This year's Super Bowl drew a handle of almost $116 million in Nevada.

It took more than five years to set the stage for the much anticipated super fight. Pacquiao and Mayweather are the top two boxers of this generation, but various issues such as drug testing, split of revenues and promotional rights had prevented the fight from taking place.

Pacquiao said he had to give in to some of his rival’s demand just to conclude the negotiations.

Among the conditions reportedly consented by Pacquiao were the 60-40 purse split and the drug testing protocol. Mayweather reportedly stands to earn $120 million from the $250 million fight, while Pacquiao gets $80 million.

It took more than five years to set the stage for the much anticipated super fight. Pacquiao and Mayweather are the top two boxers of this generation, but various issues such as drug testing, split of revenues and promotional rights had prevented the fight from taking place.

Pacquiao said he had to give in to some of his rival’s demand just to conclude the negotiations.

Among the conditions reportedly consented by Pacquiao were the 60-40 purse split and the drug testing protocol. Mayweather reportedly stands to earn $120 million from the $250 million fight, while Pacquiao gets $80 million.

LAS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao and his handlers have been hit with a lawsuit asking for damages for anyone who paid to watch his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. because he failed to disclose his shoulder was injured.

The suit was filed Tuesday in federal court in Las Vegas on behalf of two plaintiffs, identified as Staphane Vanel and Kami Rahbaran.

It alleges that the two were defrauded after paying to watch the fight, and seeks class action status on behalf of anyone who bought tickets, pay-per-view or bet on the fight.

The suit comes as Nevada boxing regulators are looking into possible disciplinary action against Pacquiao for failing to disclose the injury suffered in training for the fight.

Pacquiao, who would go on to lose a unanimous decision, is expected to undergo surgery this week for a rotator cuff tear.

In particular, members of the Nevada Athletic Commission want to know why Pacquiao checked “no” when filling out a state form the day before the fight that asked whether he had a shoulder injury.

“Our job is to protect the health and safety of fighters and the integrity of the sport,” commission chairman Francisco Aguilar said. “We expect our fighters to be forthright.”

Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said earlier the injury suffered four weeks before the fight appeared to have sufficiently healed, but Pacquiao’s handlers still unsuccessfully sought to get a pain-killing shot in the shoulder in the dressing room before the fight.

Pacquiao said he reinjured the shoulder in the fourth round when he landed his best punches of the night against Mayweather.

Meanwhile, Mayweather said in a text to ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith that he would welcome a rematch with Pacquiao.

LAS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao and his handlers have been hit with a lawsuit asking for damages for anyone who paid to watch his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. because he failed to disclose his shoulder was injured.

The suit was filed Tuesday in federal court in Las Vegas on behalf of two plaintiffs, identified as Staphane Vanel and Kami Rahbaran.

It alleges that the two were defrauded after paying to watch the fight, and seeks class action status on behalf of anyone who bought tickets, pay-per-view or bet on the fight.

The suit comes as Nevada boxing regulators are looking into possible disciplinary action against Pacquiao for failing to disclose the injury suffered in training for the fight.

Pacquiao, who would go on to lose a unanimous decision, is expected to undergo surgery this week for a rotator cuff tear.

In particular, members of the Nevada Athletic Commission want to know why Pacquiao checked “no” when filling out a state form the day before the fight that asked whether he had a shoulder injury.

“Our job is to protect the health and safety of fighters and the integrity of the sport,” commission chairman Francisco Aguilar said. “We expect our fighters to be forthright.”

Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said earlier the injury suffered four weeks before the fight appeared to have sufficiently healed, but Pacquiao’s handlers still unsuccessfully sought to get a pain-killing shot in the shoulder in the dressing room before the fight.

Pacquiao said he reinjured the shoulder in the fourth round when he landed his best punches of the night against Mayweather.

Meanwhile, Mayweather said in a text to ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith that he would welcome a rematch with Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao's business adviser is claiming the he checked the wrong box on the fighter's health questionnaire amid questions of non-disclosure of a shoulder injury prior to this weekend's fight with Floyd Mayweather.

In an interview with the New York Daily News, Michael Koncz said he was the one who filled up the form that said Pacquiao didn't have any injuries prior to the fight.

"Number one, Manny didn't check the box. I checked it," said Koncz.

A copy of Pacquiao's pre-fight checklist was published by True.Ink. The questionnaire specifically asked "Have you had any injury to your shoulders, elbows, or hands that need evaluation or examination?" to which the answer was ticked "No."

The document was signed by Pacquiao and Koncz, who claimed that he made an error filling up the form.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission said it was looking at Pacquiao's non-disclosure and would be investigating possible sanctions against the fighter. According to True.Ink, perjury is a D-class felony in the state of Nevada, making it punishable by as many as four years in prison.

But Koncz said that he never meant to hide the injury in the questionnaire, noting that the team had sent a list of medications to the commission for Pacquiao's use on fight night.

"It was just an inadvertent mistake. If I was trying to hide anything, would I have listed all the medications on the sheet that he intended to use? We weren't trying to hide anything. I just don't think I read the questionnaire correctly," said Koncz.

Pacquiao's camp is contending that it was surprised that the commission denied him the use of painkiller shots to his shoulder, which hampered him during the fight. Pacquiao, who is set to undergo surgery within the week, said he decided to continue the fight despite the lack of medication because he did not want to let the fans down.

Koncz added that Pacquiao camp had disclosed the fighter's condition to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which was in charge of testing both fighters.

But USADA CEO Travis Tygart said Pacquiao's camp was to blame for the whole affair.

"If you're a caring person and Manny actually had an injury, while it has nothing to do with anti-doping, his camp let him down by inaccurately filling out the paperwork for the Nevada Commission in violation of its rules," said Tygart.

"He didn't get the medication that he otherwise could have used. You feel sorry that his team let him down the way that they did. His team either committed an egregious mistake, or their gamesmanship by not disclosing something that could give the opponent a tactical advantage — a shoulder injury — came back to bite them." -- JST, GMA News

Manny Pacquiao's business adviser is claiming the he checked the wrong box on the fighter's health questionnaire amid questions of non-disclosure of a shoulder injury prior to this weekend's fight with Floyd Mayweather.

In an interview with the New York Daily News, Michael Koncz said he was the one who filled up the form that said Pacquiao didn't have any injuries prior to the fight.

"Number one, Manny didn't check the box. I checked it," said Koncz.

A copy of Pacquiao's pre-fight checklist was published by True.Ink. The questionnaire specifically asked "Have you had any injury to your shoulders, elbows, or hands that need evaluation or examination?" to which the answer was ticked "No."

The document was signed by Pacquiao and Koncz, who claimed that he made an error filling up the form.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission said it was looking at Pacquiao's non-disclosure and would be investigating possible sanctions against the fighter. According to True.Ink, perjury is a D-class felony in the state of Nevada, making it punishable by as many as four years in prison.

But Koncz said that he never meant to hide the injury in the questionnaire, noting that the team had sent a list of medications to the commission for Pacquiao's use on fight night.

"It was just an inadvertent mistake. If I was trying to hide anything, would I have listed all the medications on the sheet that he intended to use? We weren't trying to hide anything. I just don't think I read the questionnaire correctly," said Koncz.

Pacquiao's camp is contending that it was surprised that the commission denied him the use of painkiller shots to his shoulder, which hampered him during the fight. Pacquiao, who is set to undergo surgery within the week, said he decided to continue the fight despite the lack of medication because he did not want to let the fans down.

Koncz added that Pacquiao camp had disclosed the fighter's condition to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which was in charge of testing both fighters.

But USADA CEO Travis Tygart said Pacquiao's camp was to blame for the whole affair.

"If you're a caring person and Manny actually had an injury, while it has nothing to do with anti-doping, his camp let him down by inaccurately filling out the paperwork for the Nevada Commission in violation of its rules," said Tygart.

"He didn't get the medication that he otherwise could have used. You feel sorry that his team let him down the way that they did. His team either committed an egregious mistake, or their gamesmanship by not disclosing something that could give the opponent a tactical advantage — a shoulder injury — came back to bite them." -- JST, GMA News

An emotional Buboy Fernandez admitted that he was the one who convinced Manny Pacquiao to push through with the fight against Floyd Mayweather despite his shoulder injury.

In an exclusive interview on "News to Go" on Wednesday, Pacquiao's assistant coach and childhood friend said Freddie Roach proposed the idea of delaying the fight to allow the eight-division champion to heal.